Tech

In iOS 8, Parents Can Control What Apps Their Kids Purchase

Apple debuted a new iOS 8 feature at its Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday that will enable families to share iTunes purchases and make it easier for parents to regulate their children's transactions.

Family Sharing, which will be available when iOS 8 launches later this year, will allow up to six people to share iTunes purchases, including apps, music and movies, provided the same credit card is linked to each iTunes account. Families using the feature will also be able to access each other's calendars, reminders and photos.

Parents will also be able to control their children's purchasing ability. Children who have a parent's credit card connected to their iTunes account must ask permission from the cardholder before making a purchase.

Apple has repeatedly come under fire for making it too easy for kids to make unauthorized purchases. Earlier this year, the company refunded more than than $32 million to people whose children had accidentally made in-app purchases after settling a lawsuit with the FTC. The lawsuit also resulted in Apple adding in-app purchase warnings to iOS 7.1.

Apple WWDC 2014

People wait to get in to the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference at the Moscone West center on June 2, 2014 in San Francisco, California.

Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

People wait to get in to the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference at the Moscone West center on June 2, 2014 in San Francisco, California.

Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Attendees wait in line to enter the Moscone Center during the Apple Inc. World Wide Developers Conference in San Francisco, California, U.S. on June 2, 2014.

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Attendees wait in line to enter the Moscone Center during the Apple Inc. World Wide Developers Conference in San Francisco, California, U.S. on June 2, 2014.

Image: Mashable Lance Ulanoff

The crowd awaits the beginning of the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference event in San Francisco, June 2, 2014.

Image: Mashable, Lance Ulanoff

Apple CEO Tim Cook arrives to speak during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference at the Moscone West center on June 2, 2014 in San Francisco, California. Tim Cook kicked off the annual WWDC which is typically a showcase for upcoming updates to Apple hardware and software. The conference runs through June 6.

Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi (L) and Apple CEO Tim Cook speak during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference at the Moscone West center on June 2, 2014 in San Francisco, California.

Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi speaks during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference at the Moscone West center on June 2, 2014 in San Francisco, California. Tim Cook kicked off the annual WWDC which is typically a showcase for upcoming updates to Apple hardware and software. The conference runs through June 6.

Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi speaks during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference at the Moscone West center on June 2, 2014 in San Francisco, California.

Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

An apple representative speaks at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference event in San Francisco, June 2, 2014.

Image: Mashable, Lance Ulanoff

Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi speaks during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference at the Moscone West center on June 2, 2014 in San Francisco, California.

Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi speaks during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference at the Moscone West center on June 2, 2014 in San Francisco, California.

Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple Inc., delivers a keynote address during the Apple World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco, California, U.S. on Monday, June 2, 2014. Apple Inc. announced the new Mac operating system called "Yosemite".

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